Some Arkansas fans gnashing teeth at Petrino vs. Pittman
The existential crisis the University of Arkansas football program and its most ardent of fans would have had last year if Bobby Petrino would have defeated the Razorbacks was going to be monumental.
Arkansas escaped its FCS opponent, Missouri State, thanks to a fourth-quarter rally and a punt return for the ages. The exhalation was almost palpable inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium when the final buzzer sounded. Arkansas was given a reprieve.
And much like in 2022, an Arkansas win is required against Petrino, now in his first season as Texas A&PM offensive coordinator, on Saturday to avoid a meltdown.
The Razorbacks enter the game at .500 with two straight losses having damaged the team’s outlook. Petrino, given his legacy at Arkansas, could provide either the spark to get things back on track or the spark that ignites a Dumpster fire.
Because of Arkansas’ mixed start, some of the angriest in the fan base have been calling for coach Sam Pittman’s job. Those types of people often bring up Petrino as an example of the standard Arkansas should have. Presumably they mean the on-field standard.
As far as Pittman’s awareness of the situation, he’s keeping it blocked out, instead focusing on Texas A&M and getting things that actually matter turned around.
“Coach Petrino is one of the best offensive minds in the game and we respect them a lot. They’re doing a really nice job on offense,” Pittman said.
Some of the old feelings Arkansas, specifically its fan base, had about Petrino dissipated with last year’s Hogs win over Missouri State. But Arkansas’ start this year have brought his old die-hards back out of the woodwork.
Or maybe the fans don't prefer national embarrassment
Agreed. I’ve seen fans say “I’ll take Pittman any day because it was awful under Chad”. Fans that constantly harken back to the Morris days would rather have 5 wins and a good ole boy who loves the Hogs than a winning record. These fans don’t remember the great Petrino years
— Caleb J. Findley (@thecalebfindley) September 24, 2023
Arkansas is what Arkansas is
I’m not going to say you’re wrong but Pittman was never going to be a coach that gets Arkansas back to the Petrino days. But he pulled them out of the gutter that Morris left it in. He’ll never be more than that .500 coach but he’s so likable that he won’t get fired
— Ty Bohannan (@tybohannan) September 24, 2023
Is he wrong?
If Arkansas fires Sam Pittman, I'll be nothing but disappointed. If the same fans that wanted Petrino fired start griping about wins and losses, I'm not sure how to respond.
— Ethan Nobles 🐗 (@NoblesLawFirm) September 20, 2023
They're different sports
There are so many more moving parts with football. It requires being great with people and being great with football strategy. We had someone that was pretty great, Petrino in his prime, and we all know what happened. Pittman can be good, but it's not a certainty.
— Captain Cialis (@ValhallaKnox) September 18, 2023
No one actually wants Petrino back, right?
Can we get Petrino back? 😆 nah I like Pittman, but he definitely gotta step up come SEC play
— Ethan Gaines (@egaines2008) September 17, 2023
Got so much hate for saying Bobby petrino was a way better coach then Pittman in offseason
— whalecash (Alpha Male) (@whalecash0) September 17, 2023
